My son has been playing with Magic trading cards. He is not obsessed with them, but it seems to be the latest fad. What do you know about these cards? He says they are biblical. Several of his Christian friends are playing with them. They don't consume his time but I want to know more about them.

 
 
When I researched Magic: The Gathering, all my discernment alarms went off like crazy. The storyline for this role-playing card game is a mixture of occult and animism and is profoundly anti-Christian in its worldview. You can read it for yourself by following the links from here: www.wizards.com/magic/generic/storyline/wom_intro.asp.

Focus on the Family's "Plugged In" magazine included M:TG with a group of other role-playing games that "directly embrace wizardry, channeling, demonic possession, sorcery, black magic and vampirism."

It's a very intellectual game requiring sophisticated strategy to play well. The cards feature what some people consider good enough art to justify collecting. But these positive(?) aspects don't overcome the spiritually dangerous nature of the game. It is a powerful way for people, especially impressionable children and teens, to open their hearts and minds to the enemy's influence. It's a doorway to darkness and evil and not to goodness. It's bad, bad news and as a mother, I wouldn't allow my kids to play the game. Whether they were addicted or not.

Hope this helps!

Sue Bohlin
Probe Ministries

About the Author

Sue Bohlin is an associate speaker with Probe Ministries. She attended the University of Illinois, and has been a Bible teacher and conference speaker for over 30 years. She serves as a Mentor Mom and speaker for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), and on the board and as a small group leader of Living Hope Ministries, a Christ-centered outreach to those dealing with unwanted homosexuality. She is also a professional calligrapher and the webmistress for Probe Ministries; but most importantly, she is the wife of Dr. Ray Bohlin and the mother of their two grown sons.

What is Probe?

Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ. Probe fulfills this mission through our Mind Games conferences for youth and adults, our 3-minute daily radio program, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org.

Further information about Probe's materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting us at: